Flying with a 7 Wk Old

Try to fly non-stop. Also, they won't let you bring bottled water on the plane, so if you're using the powdered formula, you will need to get water from the flight attendant. We flew from Austin to Denver when my grandson was almost 7 weeks old, and we had no problems. Good luck, and have fun!

Thank you to your husband for his service!

It sounds like your family really has everything you need. It is amazing how little babies need at this age...and how much more you are likely to come back with. Just include a special blanket or toy that your son is familiar with. Pack a lightweight duffle bag to catch the overflow on the way back...trust me, there is always overflow.

A couple of practical matters:
get a full copy of his medical records
birth certificate
his social security card (if you've received it)

I've been travelling with my daughter since she was the same age. Here is my survival kit...it isn't as much as it seems once you've packed it all. For the plane:

If you're not breastfeeding, use the premix liquid formula or premake bottles and use a cooler bag and cold packs (just notify TSA before you go through security and they will let you know how to declare it).

Pack twice as many diapers and wipes as you think you'll need.

An extra shirt (or two) for yourself and clothes for the baby (two pieces for easier diaper changes and clean-ups).

A few small garbage or (hole-free) grocery bags.

Use a small bag inside of a larger carry-on...this smaller bag can carry one or two diapers, a garbage bag, a pacifier, one bottle. Something that is very easy to handle and carry to the bathroom if needed. The larger bag can be packed away and you don't have to dig through it until you actually need you back-up supplies.

Changing pad--use a small absorbent one like you would use in a crib (accidents and messes can get away from you on a waterproof pad).

If you can afford it, buying a seat for your son will give you some extra room to maneuver (and a place to change his diaper). Not all planes have changing tables and you can end up being confined to your seat the whole flight.

Snack for yourself.

If you use a sling or Moby wrap...they can be indispensable in keeping your hands free during all parts of the travel...and you can nap on the flight without worrying about dropping your little one.

The first thing as a military wife also is the medical records/medications and #s.
The airlines if told will also be able to help you, with the preloading and if asked will help you to the next gate. Be sure that you have with you any thing for the change of weather.Alond with several changes of clothes for you baby, mine pooped at take off all over everything, WONDERFUL. Have those changes in a carry on with you. You did not say but if going from Texas to Indiana there will be a differance in the weather. Hope that all goes well for you and you family been there. Hard,but you have your families both at home and in the service.

First, thank you and your husband for serving! Remember to pack light, you can do laundry there! I would take burp bibs, baby towels, bath tub(or have your parents buy one), bottles and lots of cloths! Best of luck to you!

Hi S.,
I just flew to France with a 7 week old about a month ago. You've already got great advice on flying, it really is easy with a young baby especially compared to a three year old! I can tell you that in the past month I haven't had to purchase anything more than what I had when he was 7 weeks old besides diapers and bigger clothes. As he's gotten older, he's really liking his mobile, play mat and other dangling toys especially those with mirrors. Good luck on your trip.

I'm getting ready to fly with my 9 month old and the doctor said to make sure that you either nurse, bottle feed, or give something to suck on when the plane is going up and down to relieve the pressure.

One thing that hasn't been mentioned yet, is to breastfeed or bottle feed on take-off or landing. This helps with the ears... you know how we can swallow, or force a small "pop" to keep from feeling the difference in the pressure at that point.

I travelled from Iowa to Texas when my son (now 17) was 6 weeks old, then 4 months old, and never had any crying problems that way.

Pack more diapers and wipes than you think you will need for the flight. I would order diapers and wipes online and have them shipped to the place you are staying.

Are you breast feeding or formula? With formula I travels with the premixed liquid bottles. That way I am not trying to mix on the plane. Bring more than you think you will need!! You never know if you will be delayed. As for security pull out the formula, diaper cream, etc and you will be fine.

Can the baby right before you board. If you have to change the baby on the plane do it at your seat!!! Bathrooms on planes are not clean enough for babies.

That reminds me -- pee before you get on the plane!!

You will be amazed at the help you get on the plane. You will get stares but there is usually one person that is willing to help out a new mom.

I flew with my son at 2 months and we made it through. I was breast feeding and would pop in a boob for take off and landing or the pacifier.

I just flew again with my son at 1 year. He drank more than I thought he would but he needed to. It helped with his ears and kept him happy.

Not sure what airlines you are using, but I would go to their site and look at the guidelines for infants. I know that there are specific regulations regarding the inspection of breastmilk and how much you can take, etc. I think that they recommend only taking what you need for the flight. Here's a link for American Airlines:
http://www.aa.com/aa/i18nForward.do?p=/travelInformation/...

I would also talk to your pediatrician about the effects of the air pressure change on your little one's ears. If he has any problems with his ears, your doctor might be able to give you some advice.

I would also be very careful about making sure that your hands are clean and wiped with a cleansing wipe before you prepare a bottle for your little one or handle anything that might go in his mouth while on the plane. Airplanes are notorious for spreading infections and viruses, so be conscious of this while on the plane. Whatever you do, do NOT use their blankets and/or pillows for you or your little one. They don't clean these between flights, so be sure to bring your own. I wonder if you can get a seat for his carrier? Even if you don't use it, it would keep someone from sitting right next to you on the flight. The extra space might be nice for you and your little one.

Good luck and bless your husband for his service.

If you have a sling or harness i'd suggest using that rather than just holding the baby, frees up your hands to handle luggage. If you don't have either of those or don't like using them, airlines will let you bring the small umbrella strollers and those are gate checked for free just before you board. Also, I don't know where you're headed from but you should bring along his shot records and most recent well baby, if he needs to be seen at a VA they'll need those things along with his insurance info, they're better to have on hand rather than having to request them.If you're preparing for a deployment, you probably already have all of your powers of attorney, you may not need them but they're always good to have on hand just in case. That's all i can think of right now lol, but good luck with your first solo trip with the lil man.

If you have a seat for the baby or can get an empty next to you, you can use your car seat. We lived in France and flew back and forth a lot with 2 babies. Car seats make the baby AND you much more comfortable. It there is no seat they can gate check it for you. Also, if baby is in his seat, you can ask the flight attendant to just watch (not hold) him when you have to make a potty stop. The importance of something to suck on during takeoff and landing cannot be over emphasized. Good luck. Your trip should go very well!

Ditto the advice on sucking during take off and landing to "pop" the ears. Use a pacifier if the baby doesn't want the bottle/breast.

Although you want to pack light, prepare for the unexpected. There can be lengthy delays on the runway. So even if your flight is 3 hours, you could be waiting for takeoff or have some sort of delay. You hear of those "nightmare" stories of people trapped on a plane b/c of weather or some unforeseen reason.

Pack yourself a change of clothes---my dd peed all over my husbands pants during her nap and we didn't bring him any other clothes. Ughh.

Although it is nearly impossible to fly on a plane that is not completely sold out these days----Right before I board, I always ask at the gate if I can be seated next to an unoccupied seat. That way, I have elbow room and can access my diaper bag without trying to reach between my legs. That was the toughest thing for me---trying to get a bottle or pacifier out of my diaper bag with the baby on my lap.

Also, ditto the advice on peeing before you board. Don't be dehydrated but you don't want to have to take the baby to the bathroom on the plane so you can pee. And I believe there is a rule with airline personnel that they cannot hold your baby if you need assistance. I asked a pilot one time to hold mine while I collapsed her stroller so I could board the plane and he kindly denied me b/c of regulations.
So, don't expect help from the flight attendants.

Try to book an aisle seat. I used to think being at a window would give me that "wall" to lean upon but after 9 years of traveling with kids, the aisle is the best--you can put your diaper bag in it (for a MINUTE) if you need to dig around in there.

You probaby know this but you will use your stroller all the way until you board the plane. They have made me collapse it myself with an infant in my arm. Ask for help, might need a stranger to hold the baby for a minute.

OH--and when you check in your car seat with your luggage, ask the airline to please bag it in a plastic bag.
One time I went to pick up my luggage and my car seat had been sitting in the RAIN while it was being unloaded off the plane and it was soaking wet for the drive home (had blankets for it but still).
good luck!

I flew with my first born from ny to tx when she was 2 weeks old and flew back when she was 5 weeks old. The only issue is when your ears pop. As for that, nurse or give a bottle. The swallowing effect with help with the ears. My daughter didn't fuss at all, everyone on the plane was surprised and happy of course. Good luck and god bless!

What about the 8 week check-up to get shots......I'm not sure I would fly anywhere before getting those shots. Too much out there to be exposed too.

Mel G

Hi S..
Bless you and your hubby.
I would take as little as possible ....travel lightly to make your trip with baby easier. If family already has the big items you are so lucky. Diapers, formula, most all things you can get when you get to your destination.
One thing I might suggest is that you pack up a box with all babies clothes, shoes, blankets etc- and send UPS- that way, when you arrive all yours and babies stuff will be there- also, pack your clothes and shoes as well with the shipping package. UPS is very reasonable and a lot cheaper than luggage on a plane- and a lot easier on you.
Good luck and blessings